Chapter 50
Inside the Duncan residence, tension filled the air as Silas arrived with a warning. Lloyd’s heart sank the moment he heard Lenore’s name.
He knew that the elusive big shot, always shrouded in mystery, wasn’t the type to mingle with high school kids. But there she was, the very Lenore he knew, and he couldn’t fathom how she’d become Troy’s daughter.
Lloyd’s thoughts whirled. With a hushed voice, he summoned the butler and ordered, “Get me the scoop on Lenore and Troy’s connection.”
Afternoon classes called, and Silas drove Lenore to school in a heavy silence. Lenore, with her slender, unyielding stride, radiated defiance and abandon. Silas watched her until she vanished from sight.
With one hand on his earring, Wayne leaned back in, deep in thought. “Silas, this whole thing’s fishy. Don’t you think?”
Even the formidable Duncan family’s head showed nothing but deference to the Faulkner family’s heir, yet today, he groveled before Lenore as if fearing she could dismantle the Duncan family’s legacy with a word. This wasn’t about them; it was about her.
Silas‘ gaze was distant, his fingers tapping a rhythm on his knee. “He’s terrified of Lenore.”
Few could rattle Lloyd like this. Silas sensed Lenore was more than just wild; she was a vault of secrets.
As the hallway buzzed with pre–class energy, Lenore’s return was met with eager relief. Kyle and the others, who had been anxiously waiting, brightened and hurried toward her.
Bonnie clutched Lenore’s hand, her voice trembling. “Lenore, where have you been? Are you alright?”
Lenore playfully pinched her cheek, a smirk playing on her lips. “Nothing can touch me.” She was untouchable.
Bonnie scanned her for any signs of trouble, relief washing over her when she found none. “You’re right,” she whispered, her eyes crinkling into a smile.
Kyle and Lance were there, too. Lance, his eyes wide with curiosity, asked, “Lenore, did the Duncans give you a hard time?”
Lenore arched an eyebrow. “The Duncans wouldn’t dare.” Her confidence was infectious, leaving Lance momentarily starstruck as he gave her a thumbs–up.
Kyle exhaled, the weight of his guilt over the message he’d sent his father making him fidget.
Back in class, Esther’s fingers dug into her book, her nails screeching across the pages. She couldn’t wrap her head around it. ‘Dad took Lenore to the Duncan residence to make amends. How did she return unscathed? What has gone awry?‘ she wondered.
Night fell, and in a Jinslenburg nightclub, the music thumped as Carlos sulked in a corner, his mood as dark as the liquor he downed. His friends kept their distance, sensing the storm brewing.
Ivan, ever the schemer, leaned in with his eyes darting with mischief. “Carlos, if you want to salvage your pride, I’ve got an idea.”
Carlos slammed his fist on the table, his teeth grinding. “She’s got the Denisville heavyweights backing her. If I cross her again, my grandfather will break both my legs.”
Ivan shook his head, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “We can play this out in the open and make it so even they can’t complain.” Carlos paused, skepticism etched on his face. “And how do you propose we do that?”
The memory of being forced to bow to Lenore, the country nobody, was a bitter pill he couldn’t swallow,
‘Lenore’s a decent driver, and we know our way around cars. We can pull this off…” Ivan’s grin was wicked as he leaned in to share his plan.
Carlos absorbed the words and then tossed back another drink, his smile twisted with determination. “This time, she’ll be the one begging for my forgiveness!”
The following day, the weekly test scores were posted. Jonas stared at Lenore’s grades, a flicker of a smile tugging at his lips. At least she hadn’t scored a row of zeros this time; it was progress.
Bonnie, upon hearing the news, couldn’t help but quirk an eyebrow. “I told you not to go for zero, and you barely got a few points, huh?”